Digital Commons Network^™

From Suicidal Ideation To Suicide Attempt: Clarifying The Role Of Painful And Provocative Events, Mallory Stephenson

Theses and Dissertations

The Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide hypothesizes that capability for suicide is acquired in part through exposure to physically painful and/or fear-inducing experiences, referred to as painful and provocative events (PPEs). Studies of PPE exposure offer an opportunity to characterize potential targets for suicide prevention and inform efforts to identify individuals at elevated suicide risk. However, the literature on PPE exposure and risk for suicidality has been limited by a reliance on cross-sectional designs, lack of genetically informed research, inclusion of risk-taking behaviors as potential PPEs, and focus on risk over resilience. In this dissertation, we aimed to address these knowledge …

Investigating Black Emerging Adult Health And Model Of Care Choices, Alexandra Wynn

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed methods study aimed to analyze the health profiles of Black emerging adults (who do not seek medical care for chronic condition management) college students to identify factors influencing their use of preventive services and their choices in healthcare plans. The study revealed distinct profiles of Black emerging adults based on patterns of factors related to their engagement with healthcare, such as barriers to care, insurance access, usual source of care, self-rated health, intention to seek care, discrimination, trust in physician, medical mistrust, and sex-assigned at birth. Interviews were conducted to investigate the similarities and differences among all participants …

Disparities Between Native Americans And White Individuals In Trajectories Of Community Participation Over The 5 Years After Traumatic Brain Injury, Jack Watson

Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) disproportionately affects minoritized populations within the U.S., especially Native Americans who are more likely to experience a more severe or fatal TBI than White individuals. The current study used a subsample of 63 Native Americans with TBI from the TBI Model Systems (TBIMS) database matched by age, sex, and injury severity to 63 White individuals to examine disparities in community participation, as measured by the Participation Assessment with Recombined Tools—Objective (PART-O), over the five years following TBI. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi-square tests revealed Native Americans were less likely to be employed prior to injury, …

Associations Between Childhood Trauma And Tobacco Dependence Among Latine Adults: Testing The Protective Effects Of Compassion For Self And Others, Camila Tirado

Theses and Dissertations

Tobacco dependence has posed a significant public health challenge in the United States and disproportionately affects Latine adults' risk of developing a variety of adverse health conditions. Childhood trauma is a recognized risk factor for dependence, overall health, and mental health concerns. Still, the influence of compassion for self or compassion for others in this context remains unclear. This cross-sectional study investigated the moderating effects of self-compassion and compassion for others on the relationship between childhood trauma and cigarette dependence among Latine adults. Data was collected through questionnaires assessing childhood trauma, self-compassion, cultural values and factors, compassion for others, and …

“Black Wom(B)Anhood”: An Explorative Analysis Of Black Women's Narratives Of Healthcare Encounters During And After Pregnancy, Janae A. Baker

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explores the intricate dynamics of patient-provider relationships within the context of prenatal care among Black women and how these experiences may affect their perinatal mental health. The study was conducted using a methodology consisting of structured interviews with 12 participants, snowball sampling facilitated recruitment. Thematic analysis revealed six prominent themes encapsulating the multifaceted interactions between Black women and their healthcare providers during the perinatal period. The findings illuminate nuanced aspects of the patient-provider relationship, shedding light on issues such as: (a) Anticipation of Low Quality Care, (b) Lack of Communication, (c) Listening, (d) Stereotype Threat, (e) Colorism, …

Online Racism And Mental Health Symptomatology Among Black Adolescents: A Longitudinal Examination, Stephen M. Gibson

Theses and Dissertations

Online racism (i.e., racism perpetrated and embedded within media and platforms on the Internet) is increasingly becoming a public health concern. Recent empirical evidence demonstrates that over a three year period, Black adolescents reported experiencing at least one online racial discriminatory incident, including exposure to racist images or videos within digital spaces (Tynes et al., 2020). One way in which Black adolescents are exposed to online racism is through the consumption of digital news media on the coverage of racially traumatic events (e.g., murders of Black men and women by police officers, racial hate crimes committed against Black people) and …

Fitbit Engagement In An Health Physical Activity Intervention For Young Adult Cancer Survivors: A Secondary Analysis Of The Impact Randomized Controlled Trial, Jessica Gomez Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Wearable devices allow for objective remote and real-time data collection and have been increasingly popular among the general public and in mHealth activity (PA) interventions. Despite this, our knowledge of feasibility and efficacy for using wearable devices to increase PA among a particularly vulnerable population—young adult cancer survivors age 18-39 (YACS)—is limited. Engaging in physical activity while undergoing cancer treatment contributes to reduced risk for recurrence and secondary cancers, and can also help to manage treatment side effects. However, there are a multitude of barriers to PA engagement among cancer survivors, with YACS in particular demonstrating low rates of PA. …

Development Of A Validity Scale For The Icd-11 Personality Disorder Measure (Psi-11), Rae Lutz

Theses and Dissertations

Invalid responding is a significant issue in the utilization of self-report information. Invalid responding can be assessed by stand-alone validity measures or embedded validity scales. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is one of two major diagnostic systems which provide guidance on diagnosing personality disorder, with the most recent version (ICD-11) providing a fully dimensional model for personality disorders. No existing measures aimed at assessing dimensional personality pathology have addressed the combination of PD severity and trait qualifiers that were based upon ICD-11 guidelines. To address this gap, Clark et al. (2021) developed the ICD-11 Personality Disorder Measure (PSI-11). However, …

Community Informant And Mental Health Provider Perspectives On Access To Mental Healthcare For Lgbtqia+ Communities In Virginia, Chariz Seijo

Theses and Dissertations

The existing literature on mental health disparities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) populations suggests members of LGBTQIA+ populations are at greater risk of mental health disorders than cisgender and heterosexual individuals. The COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated mental health disparities for many, including LGBTQIA+ populations. Combined with mental health provider shortages and anti- LGBTQIA+ bills across the country, inequities in mental healthcare are a significant concern. This qualitative study was designed to gather unique perspectives of key community informants and mental health providers on their experiences with mental healthcare provision to LGBTQIA+ communities in Virginia. …

The Collection: A Third-Place Community Library Design, Camille Rovani

Theses and Dissertations

TOPIC

This project explores the significance of “third places”— informal public gathering spaces like cafés, parks, and libraries — and how design strategies in these spaces can help foster community connection and enhance well-being in a modern context.

PERSONAL RELEVANCE

While working a remote job during the pandemic, I experienced an overwhelming disconnect from the people around me. Like many people during that time, I was depressed. I then took an interest in the positive impacts of community connection on our health and well-being. I became fascinated by the concept of “third places,” a term coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg …

Inspiring A Ripple: A Case For Evidence-Based, Biophilic Design For Affordable Housing, Chelcey A. Dunham

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

RELEVANCE

Currently in the US, 4 million families in need of affordable housing are not housed in affordable units and are spending 30-50% of their monthly income toward rent (Aurand, 2023.) Due to this shortage of affordable housing and the trajectory of its growth, advocacy groups and policy makers are making a push to fund more affordable housing projects. What if the designs of these projects were informed in such a way that individual and community mental health and wellness could be addressed in addition to meeting the demand for affordable, safe shelter? In this way, the return on …

Dune Dynamics- A Nature-Based Preschool, Aseel Alhaidari

Theses and Dissertations

Sustainability is a global issue that requires collaborative efforts. Environmental values and attitudes are shaped in adults by early exposure to nature. During the COVID-19 pandemic, remote learning increased the attention to nature-based learning from families and the press (Prochner, 2021).

Although many early childhood education approaches for the age group of 3-5 years recognize the importance of holistic development and focus on tailoring the learning experience to the developmental stage of young children, few emphasize the importance of integrating nature as one of the learning tools. Nature-deficit disorder in children means that children spend less time outdoors and in …

Department Chairs’ Impact On The Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Of Their Departments, Nicholas R. Garcia Ii

Theses and Dissertations

Department chairs serve not only as the leaders of their departments but also as middle managers in their schools, colleges, and universities. While many department chairs see their role as having little authority, they still play an integral role in day-to-day campus operations (Hunt & Jones, 2015). As leaders of their departments, chairs can directly influence the department’s organizational culture (Schein, 2010), including the culture of diversity and inclusiveness. Departments nationwide are being held responsible for increasing the diversity of the faculty and responding to students' calls for diversity. Departmental organizational culture and the role of the chairperson are essential …

Exposing The Camera: The Pedagogical Possibilities Of Critical Camera-Based Arts Curriculum, Oscar Keyes

Theses and Dissertations

Cameras are a ubiquitous part of our everyday lives, especially in schools, found in students’ smartphones and state-of-the-art surveillance systems. This research project emerged from an iterative redesign process of a Photography for Art Education course, structured around the camera’s dual nature as a tool for creative expression and social control. While cameras have long been used to address social issues through documentary techniques; this critical eye can be turned onto the apparatus itself. This study drew heavily upon the historical work of Allan Sekula (1986), who observed how easier access to cameras resulted in both democratization (for the People) …

African American Adolescents' Exposure To Community Firearm Violence And Associated Factors, Colleen S. Walsh

Theses and Dissertations

Firearm violence is a public health crisis in the United States that disproportionately impacts African American adolescents and families living in economically marginalized communities. The current firearm violence exposure literature includes a limited focus on the (a) the identification of risk and promotive factors that influence the likelihood of exposure to community firearm violence, (b) is cross-sectional, (c) focuses on outcomes of firearm violence exposure, and (d) does not examine bi-directional relations to determine if risk and promotive factors are causes and/or consequences of firearm violence exposure. This gap in research is further exacerbated by the limited focus on African …

Double Jointed: Gendered Flexibility And The Overextended Self, Grace A. Bromley

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores compulsory domesticity and the impulse to overextend oneself, both pressures often associated with the construct of femininity. Through diving into my personal history, which includes growing up in a three-generational home of women, I explore mimesis as it functions in both the replication of identity and in terms of pictorial representation; specifically I address its relationship to gender, manifestation within the body, and the search for subjectivity through the process of making and thinking. In various forms of material explorations, I play with ideas of malleability, mimicry and “embedded” behaviors that are passed down and embodied in …

Age Of First Dental Visit And Early Childhood Oral Health Quality Of Life, Richard Greene

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: This project aims to examine the association between the age of a child's first dental visit and their Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) score.

Methods: A 22-item cross-sectional survey was distributed to caregivers of healthy children aged 5 years and younger with an American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) I and II status who presented for new patient exams.

Results: In total, 117 caregivers participated in the survey. The ECOHIS was assessed on a 5-point Likert scale and scores ranged from 0-52; higher values indicate poor oral health having a greater impact on the child and family. Those …

The Value Of Educating Teachers, Coaches, And Athletic Trainers On The Management Of Dental Trauma., Darlene W. Jean

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To investigate the benefit of educating teachers, coaches, and athletic trainers about dental trauma to prevent incidents and improve the management of students/athletes with dental trauma.

Methods: Teachers, coaches, and athletic trainers throughout the greater Richmond metro area were recruited via email. Participants answered a pre-seminar survey to evaluate their baseline knowledge and determine whether they have experienced dental trauma with their students/athletes previously. The participants were given the option to attend an in-person or virtual seminar educating them on the basic management of traumatic dental injuries and how to guide affected students/athletes and their families to obtain optimal …

Clinical Outcomes Of Primary Anterior Esthetic Crowns In Pediatric Dentistry, Jenan Alahmad

Theses and Dissertations

Clinical Outcomes of Primary Anterior Esthetic Crowns in Pediatric Dentistry - A Prospective Cohort Study

By: Jenan Alahmad, BDS

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Virginia Commonwealth University, 2024

Thesis Advisor: Parthasarathy Madurantakam, DDS, MDS, PhD

Department of Pediatric Dentistry

BODY

Purpose: This prospective cohort study aimed to compare the effectiveness of restoring maxillary anterior teeth in children (aged 3-6 years) with three different materials: Zirconia Crowns (ZC), Resin Composite Crowns (RC), and Pre-veneered Stainless-Steel Crowns (PVSSC). The study aims to assess the Oral …

Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors And Service Utilization Of Black College Students, Troy J. Keys

Theses and Dissertations

Black college students are less likely to seek mental health services compared to other students. While previous research has identified barriers and facilitators contributing to Black college students’ help-seeking behaviors, the current political and social climate and pandemic have negatively impacted their mental health thus warranting the exploration of these factors again. This study aimed to identify the mental health help-seeking behaviors and attitudes of Black college students, the barriers and supports for help-seeking behaviors, their preferred service utilization providers, and their thoughts about promoting mental health help-seeking among their peers. Black college students (n = 21) enrolled at an …

Mindfulness, Moral Outrage, And The Climate Crisis: A Novel Approach Toward Motivating Pro-Environmental Behaviors, Erika Blair

Theses and Dissertations

The consequences of anthropogenic climate change are severe, continuously accelerating, and pose serious threats to the human and natural world. It is imperative to address the climate crisis from a psychosocial perspective and incite lasting, individual-level behavioral change. Various theoretical models have been adapted or developed to explain pro-environmental behaviors. However, the predictive powers of the most commonly used models have proven to be limited, and the underlying psychological processes of pro-environmental behavior constitute a significant gap in the literature. The present study identifies two psychological processes that show significant promise in motivating pro-environmental behaviors: moral outrage and mindfulness. Moral …

Investigating The Impact Of Chronic Inflammatory Pain On Ethanol Consumption In Mouse Models., Joshua L. Hunt

Theses and Dissertations

Chronic pain affects nearly 20% of Americans annually and for many alcohol provides a convenient and legally acquired palliative. Population-based studies have suggested a link between increased alcohol use and reduced pain, but chronic or excessive alcohol use potentiates the risk to develop alcohol dependence and neuropathy. However, sex differences in chronic pain and alcohol abuse are still not well understood. In the present study, we investigated whether chronic inflammatory pain using the inflammatory agent Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) model could alter ethanol consumption in male and female C57BL/6J mice. We observed that only CFA-treated male mice increased their ethanol …

Who Is Responsible For Corporate Social Responsibility? Investigating Employees’ Roles As Agents Of Csr, Leah Alley

Theses and Dissertations

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) can be thought of as involving an interaction between two parties: one party who performs the socially good deed (i.e., the “agents” of CSR), and another party who is to receive its benefits (i.e., the “intended beneficiary” of CSR). Research on employee reactions to CSR largely focuses on employees’ reactions to CSR in general, which makes it impossible to assess how employees’ roles as agents and beneficiaries of CSR influence subsequent attitudes and behaviors. Theories of justice suggest that employee perceptions of CSR change when they are and are not the agents and beneficiaries of CSR, …

Exploring Serotonin 1b Autoreceptor Mediated Regulation Of Serotonin Transporter In Female Mice, Sanyukta Jalihalkar

Theses and Dissertations

Rationale: Serotonin (5-HT) is a crucial neurotransmitter involved in regulating various physiological processes. Dysregulation of the serotonergic system has been implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders. Though numerous 5-HT receptors exist, the 5-HT transporter (SERT) is responsible for 5-HT clearance in the brain and periphery. 5-HT_1Bautoreceptors regulate 5-HT release and interact with glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β), which can modulate SERT function via specific Ser44/48 phosphorylation sites. While these findings suggest a potential interplay between 5-HT_1Band GSK3β-mediated SERT phosphorylation in regulating extracellular 5-HT, the primary causal molecular link remains unknown.

Objectives: To investigate if 5-HT_1B activation by …

Neurodevelopmental Trajectories As An Explanatory Mechanism For Adverse Mental Health Outcomes Following Child Maltreatment, Casey Burton Corso

Theses and Dissertations

Affecting one in every seven children in the United States, child maltreatment (CM) is a major public health issue associated with a myriad of adverse outcomes (e.g., alcohol and drug abuse, mental illness, interpersonal violence, sexual risk taking, etc.). While any subtype of CM (e.g., physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect) increases the likelihood of subsequent psychopathology, heterogeneity in psychiatric sequelae of CM is associated with different CM subtypes. Elucidating the underlying mechanisms of this heterogeneity is vital for improving intervention and treatment of CM, and research aimed at accomplishing this is a critical need. One possible explanatory …

Examining Parent Behavior And Adolescent Outcomes In A Pediatric Obesity Intervention, Madison W. Weinstock

Theses and Dissertations

Pediatric obesity is a major public health concern that affects over 14.4 million children and adolescents in the United States. Multiple short- and long-term health complications are associated with obesity. Therefore, effective treatment methods are needed in order to ameliorate the effects of said complications, particularly among adolescents. This dissertation investigated potential associations between parent eating behaviors and the outcomes of adolescents enrolled in a pediatric weight loss trial (TEENS+; PI: Bean, R21HD084930). The TEENS+ intervention offered a comprehensive behavioral weight intervention for parent-adolescent dyads. Given the well-established importance of parents in the development of an adolescent’s health behavior, this …

Systemic Contributors To Health Equity: A Conceptual Framework And Moderation Analysis, Rachel Regal

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a line of research exploring systemic factors that influence health and health equity across the lifespan. A linking document prefaces two-manuscripts as follows. Manuscript 1, A Model for Enhanced Trauma-Informed Care: An Asset-Based, Transdisciplinary Approach to Health Equity, presents a synthesis of literature on multisystem resilience, social determinants of health, and adverse / positive childhood experiences to build an alternative framework to promote healing and health equity using an asset-based approach within enhanced trauma-informed systems of care and educational models. By adopting this enhanced framework, the counseling field and others can be responsive to emerging trends and …

Feasibility Of Using Somatosensory Input On Pediatric Patients Receiving Dental Treatment, Liara D. Vinson

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The aim of this randomized, cross-over designed feasibility study is to evaluate patient anxiety, patient cooperation, and patient acceptance of a vibrating weighted vest used during the restorative treatment compared to when no device is used.

Methods: Children aged 5 to 15 years, needing at least two appointments for restorative treatment requiring local anesthesia under basic behavior guidance techniques were recruited. Patients were randomly allocated to wearing a vibrating weighted vest at one of the appointments. At both appointments, behavior was evaluated using Frankl scores and anxiety was evaluated at the beginning and at the end of …

Entire Issue Vol. 17 No. 30

Yearbook of Antitrust and Regulatory Studies

Vol. 17(30) 2024

The Effect Of Mere Presence Of Smartphone On Cognitive Functions: A Four-Level Meta-Analysis, Andree Hartanto, Verity Y. Q. Lua, K. T. A. Sandeeshwara Kasturiratna, Paye Shin Koh, Germaine Y. Q. Tng, Manmeet Kaur, Frosch Y. X. Quek, Jonathan L. Chia, Nadyanna M. Majeed

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

As smartphones have become portable and immersive devices that afford social, informational, and recreational conveniences unbounded by physical restrictions, most daily activities have become closely intertwined with the presence of smartphones. This constant presence of smartphones in daily activities, however, may be concerning as some studies have suggested that smartphones—even their mere presence—can be distracting and can impair cognitive outcomes. However, such findings have not been consistently observed. To reconcile mixed findings, the current meta-analysis synthesized 166 effect sizes drawn from 53 samples and 33 studies including 4,368 participants on the effect of mere presence of smartphone on cognitive functions. …